CHENNAI: Puducherry Lt. Governor Mukut Mithi on Thursday released the second edition of Tat Tarangini, the Hindi publication of the Coast Guard, at its Eastern region headquarters here.

Mr. Mithi, who was the chief guest at the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Coast Guard, also inaugurated an exhibition of photographs at the headquarters.

As part of the celebrations, three Coast Guard ships were illuminated with decorative lights and anchored off the Marina. A fireworks display was also organised.

It was on this day in 1977 that the Centre raised the service manned by Naval officers on deputation. Two AS Frigates and six P boats were given from the Indian Navy while four interceptor boats were made available from the Marine wing of the Customs.

Now the force has 76 ships and 45 aircraft, said the Coast Guard Eastern Region Commander, IG Rajendra Singh. Since inception, it had undertaken 998 search and rescue operations and saved 3,824 lives. It had apprehended 904 boats with an estimated value of Rs.573 crore and arrested 8,920 poachers.

Each year, it undertakes turtle protection operations off the Orissa coast.